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Al Desmond Inner circle Secret Mountain Lair in Conifer, Co 1511 Posts |
Stories, stories, stories.
My partner is been on my personal no-fly list for years. She is the one that will blurt something out in the middle of your act (usually rather logical and cuts right to the core of your secrets). She is the one who will Google something during your performance. If you seat her too close to the action, she will grab something. She doesn't like to be fooled, she is hard as heck to fool and if you do fool her, she will argue the rational of you story, your reasons for doing something and the existence of the universe while she is at it. In short the perfect critic. But she is on my no-fly list. When I do an occasional show, she is not allowed to attend. She tries real hard, but she can't stay silent. Even if she doesn't tip the secret of something out loud, she will made a funny remark that is not so funny. At least not to me. It's the type of funny that will get a curious spectator to start thinking. Like I said, she's on my no-fly list. Do you have someone, a partner, friend or another performer who you would like to put on a no-fly list I think it should be a countrywide no-fly list. Maybe one of those slimy tweens who constantly post exposures on YouTube? We can publish it once a month, distribute it to a email list and use it to be on the lookout for act-destroying spectators. Or maybe we just hone our audience management skills? |
YitzhakNoDice Special user Portland, Oregon 517 Posts |
Great idea! Thanks for sharing this; it was quite funny as it is quite true. I nominate my wife for the global no-fly list. Luckily, she has little interest in such performances, so you will not see her in anyone's audiences anyhow. Just the same, for Shalom B'Biet (peace in the home), she is officially not invited.
Now turning this idea on its head, what would happen if all the people on the no-fly list were brought together in the same room? Oh, right, improve our audience management skills. (Sigh, nothing comes easily.) Set your audience up, so when the heckler speaks up, the audience shuns them? That's a better solution, but we should still have a no-fly list for partners, spouses, family, and close friends.
A wise man's question contains half the answer. - Solomon ben Judah, Philosopher
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
My wife is fine to be polite during an actual performance but she is the worst person to try out a new routine on...but I still try anyways. If she is impressed...I will never show her the routine again. Although she has been known to get up in the middle of the night to read instructions or watch the dvd for explanations.
Also, most of the rest of my close family. Also, magicians. I despise performing for magicians. I make my living performing for normal people. The thought of performing for a bunch of magicians makes my hands start shaking and my confidence disappear. Except for next year's ECSS Conference. Those guys are different and don't count among the magicians mentioned above and I am on the list to perform something for 2016. That is all. |
Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Well there seems to be a common thread here, I though it was just me. It's a relief to know after all these years, that maybe they are normal.
My best friend since I was 13 is an improv instructor at a well known comedy institution, he should know better. He will immediately go into research mode after you show him and talk about his theories for days. If he thinks he knows how it is done he will interrupt and try to stop you to examine. He has the ultimate burn eyes. He is on the no fly list for sure. My wife is an engineer and a genius technologist. Guess what? She is also on the list. Yes, I am forced to perfect what I do, they are my benchmark. But I think I can film myself to get similar results, without the grief. Maybe, it has to do with being so close to me, that they feel they are entitled to my "entertainment" secrets, like they mean something critical in life. Or, a not so friendly challenge, they don't want to lose? Either way it's insecurity and sad, but I still love them. I just don't like showing them anything. Strangers have better manners... Maybe the no fly list is really a, "who wants to challenge me and make me feel bad, while I'm trying to make you feel happy", list.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Bizarre routines are the worst also - my close family make it impossible to get into my character so you just feel silly telling the backstory, etc.
It's rough. I can get away with "normal" tricks much easier with them. I prefer to rehearse with my 7 and 4 year old instead. They still think I have magical powers anyways. |
Al Desmond Inner circle Secret Mountain Lair in Conifer, Co 1511 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 6, 2015, Chad C. wrote: No kidding. I can fool my family with the gadgets all day long. The stuff that requires a suspension of belief, forgidaboutit. |
Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Interesting points, about character & back story. I also feel silly, but that's my insecurity not theirs. Note to self, be professional and don't let them see you sweat.
Small kids are great they are all ears (for a short time)and still have wonderment in their eyes, instead of adult disbelief and criticism. Yes, it's certainly easier demonstrating gadgets. Maybe that's all they deserve ha! Problem solved. Hit and run....
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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Pasteboard Alchemist Special user 502 Posts |
I've wholly given up on testing things out on my lady or my son--both are exactly as described above, and it's impossible to get into character or get them to suspend disbelief regardless. The person that concerns me more is the husband of a nice woman that has had me come to her place and perform a couple times now (initially during last halloween, and one smaller gig since.) There isn't a lot of action to be had around here, so I'm hard pressed to turn down offers to come do my thing. But, man... her husband gets unacceptably angry anytime something happens he can't explain. It's beyond simply being challenging, although he is overtly challenging, without a doubt. That, I can handle. But he'll huff and puff and has even knocked things aside/off the table before retreating into his crossed-armed posture and "screw you" gaze. It always seems like he's had a few too many by the time I arrive to present, though, so I suspect that can explain most of the behavior.
On the plus side, getting things past this guy definitely keeps me on my toes. |
weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Two of my assistants are on the airlines no fly list because they are dead. Now if you want to talk about discrimination, the dead are the ones. You can fly with anyone from almost anywhere in the world but try flying with a cadaver and it's like the world has come to an end.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Will, its about time you released your life size mummy and coffin routine.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 6, 2015, weepinwil wrote: Ha! I want you to bury me when it my time Wil and read my eulogy..
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 6, 2015, george1953 wrote: Tried to release it at one time but it came back to haunt me.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 6, 2015, Darkness wrote: How charming and what an honor. I have a double occupancy opening for Saturday. I knew when the wife showed up at the funeral with short shorts and a new hair style that she wasn't coming back.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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horus1 Special user 645 Posts |
My wife went to a magic store for my birthday and bought the very first
Book and tricks that put me on an adult path of magic. At the store the magicians present coached her on how to be a good magician spouse. She has been great! Got a couple of good friends that are always hell bent on figuring out a trick. Definitely no fly zone!! |
weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 6, 2015, horus1 wrote: Wish my wife had took that course. Good wife? yes. Good magician's wife? she hates magic.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
I am lucky, it was because of my wife that I got into magic in the first place. She knows just about as me about it.
Reminds me of a story. I used to be a member of the Merlin magic society and my wife applied to become a member. The vote was in her favour but the president of the society stood up and said if they allowed women to be members he woul d resign, so I immediately did, along with quite a few others. That was in the mid 70s, wonder if its still going, they used to meet in Brimsdown.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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innermind Regular user suburban Detroit 154 Posts |
I've come up with a simple and elegant solution.
Anyone who dares challenge me is immediately dispatched. David
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else." -Will Rogers
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Performer's No-Fly list (9 Likes) |
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